Your views

Salary hikes overdue for Cabinet members

There has been some criticism of a new bill in the Legislature that would give the governor flexibility to set the salaries of his cabinet members.

I understand the knee-jerk reaction to this, but I think it's important to consider all of the facts.

These are the people who run state departments and oversee thousands of employees who provide services throughout the state. This includes everything from making sure state roads are cleared during major snowstorms to providing support to our 600-plus school districts.

The bill would not automatically raise cabinet members' salaries, but would give the governor leeway to set the annual salary for his appointed department heads between $141,000 - the current maximum - and $175,000.

This appears to be a major jump in the salary limit at first.

But the maximum salary for cabinet members hasn't been adjusted in more than a decade.

In 1999, there was an increase over three years to the current level.

If cabinet members' salaries had increased 2 percent each year since then, their annual salaries would be at roughly $178,000 now.

Yes, these are public servants, but there is no question that the governor's top-level people need to be the best of the best.

I think the potential for an adjustment in salary is one way to attract highly qualified candidates - many of whom are asked to leave good-paying jobs in the private-sector - and to make sure they are retained.

Frank Mecka

STAFFORD

Tent City problem needs solution now

On Jan. 16, I wrote a letter suggesting a viable, economical solution to the continuing, absurd saga of the Tent City People.

I offered an immediate solution by way of a pre-fabricated Quonset-style building.

I warned of tragedy to come if no action was taken. And voila - less than 60 days later, on March 16, an article in the Asbury Park Press indicated a 45-year-old homeless Vietnamese-American man died in an "accidental" fire trying to heat his tent with a wood stove and/or a propane heater.

I begged for action in my previous letter, and now I am begging again.

Let's get that building up as soon as possible. I don't want to write another letter on another preventable tragedy next month.

Ed Balyk

KEANSBURG

Funny how CPAC invited Gov. Christie this year

Last year, Gov. Chris Christie did not get an invite to the notorious Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). But this year with Christie embroiled in scandal, I guess the conservative con men now feel he has made the grade and has proven he can crawl as low as any conservative.

Congrats, governor.

Walt Lukasik

HOWELL

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There has been some criticism of a new bill in the Legislature that would give the governor flexibility to set the salaries of his cabinet members.

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